Connect with us

Business

‘If You are richer than you should, you will be held to account for it’ – Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo

Published

on

osinbajo

 

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that anybody found out to have more money than he or she should would be held to account for it. He also said that people who loot the public treasury or their organizations are doing so out of greed, and not because of any political objective of keeping a war chest for the future.

Osinbajo made this remark today at the celebration of Father’s Day at Aso Villa Chapel, during which he also challenged the church to teach the lessons of honesty and integrity.

”Many would say the reason why they steal is because they want to have an arsenal for future political exploits. It is a lie. It is greed. In any case, even if you want to do that, you have no right to do it,” he said.

His message from the pulpit certainly strikes a chord against the backdrop of the avalanche of corruption cases the Buhari administration has been pursuing.

The campaign had suffered some setbacks of late, with controversial verdicts by the court that tend to let go the accused.

Osinbajo, a professor of law and also a pastor of the Redeemed Church felt the church has a role to play.

“If the church says we will not accept you here or that we will expose you if you are stealing the resources of the country or stealing the resources of a private company or other establishment where you work, we would not have the type of problem that we have in this country.”

“In Genesis 18:19. God was speaking about Abraham. And God said he had known him or called him in order that he may command his children and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord with righteousness and justice that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He had spoken to him.

“In other words, God was saying that He called Abraham, in particular, because he realizes that Abraham will command his household, will command his children to do righteousness and justice and to fear God. And if you back this up with Genesis 12:2, God has spoken concerning Abraham, that He will make Abraham a great nation. Genesis 12:3 says, God said, I will make you a great nation.

“In other words, the role of the father is supposed to be that of building nations, building generations. And Abraham is the example God set for us; of a man who God wanted to be the exemplar of the type of conduct that God expects of fatherhood; a man who will teach his children and children thereafter the way of righteousness and justice and the way of fear of God.

“When I listened to His Eminence, the Prelate of the Methodist Church a few minutes ago, talking about the importance of the type of training that he received as a child in his family, I’m sure many of us here are reminded of that type of training. A type of training where you are taught and reminded about integrity, primarily as the first order of business; that you must be a person of integrity.

You must be truthful, you must be trustworthy, you must be honest, you must be forthright. That is the foundation. And in the days he referred to, Catechism was an important part of our lives. Even just knowing the 10 Commandments was enough to teach you about righteousness, teach you about the way of truth and I think that is very important, especially for us today as Christians.

“Christian fatherhood in particular is a position that God has placed us as exemplar to our nation. The Christian father is the one referred to in Genesis 18:19; the one who will teach the way of righteousness and justice to his children and would teach the fear of the Lord.

And I just want to say to all of our leaders (and I was speaking with few of our Christian leaders just last week, both of the PFN and CAN just last week on various occasions) that it is the role of the church to build this nation. And the church has that role because God has said concerning us that we are the light of the world and we are the salt of the earth. That role is a very, very difficult role.

“We are not to teach the world how to be like the world but to teach the world how to be like the one who saved the world, how to be like Jesus. It is not easy.

“Every time that we come to church, we are told about giving. But we need to talk more about honesty. We need to talk far more about honesty. In the same way we talk about giving, we need to talk more about honesty because just like His Eminence said, Nigeria’s great problem is not the absence of prosperity. It is as he so eloquently put it, that we have enough for our needs but we don’t have enough for our greed.

The greed of many is what has landed this country where it is today. It is the greed of so many; many who have been placed in position of authority. It is their greed that has landed us where we are, where it is difficult to do the sorts of things His Eminence saw in Washington and so many other places. You cannot steal half of the resources of the country and expect to build the sort of things you see in other places.

“And if the church says you are not allowed to steal and we will ostracize you in our midst if you did. If what a man has does not measure up to what he has, if we found that a man has more money than he should have, if a man is earning a salary of a civil servant or a public servant and he has houses everywhere, we have to hold him to account. But he must be held to account in the church. He must be told first in the church we will not allow you here.

If the church says we will not accept you here or that we will expose you if you are stealing the resources of the country or stealing the resources of a private company or other establishment where you work, then we would not have the type of problem that we have in this country. If only the church does so, just the church.

“Just as Christian fathers today, it is our duty as God spoke concerning Abraham in Genesis 18:19, it is our duty to build up a generation of righteous men and women, a nation of just men and women who fear God and puts God above everything else. And I believe that the Almighty God will help us.

“I just pray that the Father of fathers, the One who has called us, one who has saved us will bless each and every father here today in the mighty name of Jesus. The Almighty God who is the great Father of all fathers will ensure that we get everything we need to make our families, to make communities truly great and to make our nation g

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

Published

on

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

 

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the regulatory and standardization authority in the sector, has invited professionals in the hospitality, tourism,travel and allied sectors to register as mandated by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Act 2022.

A statement signed by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, Director-General/CEO
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism reads:

“Enjoy FREE registration from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025! This is your chance to register as a professional or practitioner at no cost.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your presence in Nigeria’s thriving tourism industry. Visit www.nihotour.gov.ng now!

“Hurry—free registration closes on January 15, 2025. Take the first step toward advancing your career in tourism today!”

Continue Reading

Business

EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

Published

on

EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

 

EGC Homes, a notable player in the real estate and property development sector, has made waves in the Nigerian market with its recent announcement of the launch of Goodness and Mercy Estate in Ogun, alongside other strategic initiatives.

The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the government to alleviate the housing deficit in Nigeria while prioritizing the well-being of residents.

In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, Oladapo Jimoh, the Managing Director of EGC Homes and Properties, expressed the brand’s long-term vision to bridge the housing gap and simplify the journey to homeownership.

He stated, “Current data estimates Nigeria’s housing deficit to be around 28 million units by 2024. This figure is among the largest globally and poses significant challenges, contributing to homelessness and various social issues.”

“National statistics indicate that our country faces a pressing need for approximately 700,000 new homes each year to address this deficit. As urbanization continues, these challenges are particularly evident in major cities, where affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, forcing many into slums and informal settlements.”

The World Bank projects that Nigeria’s urban population could exceed 200 million by 2050, highlighting a potential social crisis as the lack of affordable housing leads to the rise of slums, especially in urban areas.

“As a forward-thinking and solutions-oriented company, we are dedicated to addressing these critical housing issues in partnership with the government.”

Following its successful launch in Lagos, EGC Homes has rapidly expanded its operations, acquiring a significant land bank across the southwestern region of Nigeria and enhancing its marketing strategies to effectively connect with customers.

The firm is committed to providing Nigerians with exceptional value, peace of mind, and simplifying the processes of land acquisition and homeownership.

“Our mission is to make life easier for Nigerians while assisting the government in tackling the housing deficit.”

Recently, the company introduced its premier property, the Goodness and Mercy Estate, located in Arepo and Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State, with more projects on the horizon. Its flexible payment plans and affordable property prices aim to cater to a wide audience.

Additionally, EGC Homes has appointed Titilayo Adebayo-Omotosho as its social media brand ambassador to promote the unique offerings of EGC Homes and Properties Limited to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

In her remarks, she highlighted her commitment to the vision of EGC Homes, stating, “I believe every Nigerian deserves a decent roof over their head. This aligns perfectly with the mission of EGC Homes and Properties, which is why I chose to represent the brand, promoting its exceptional estates and home packages to Nigerians and those aspiring to own homes here.”

Continue Reading

Business

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

Published

on

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

 

Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and retention company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Loft & Keys LLC, a renowned real estate and investment company with dominant presence in Nigeria and the Middle East.

 

The ceremony which took place over the weekend at Optiva Capital’s Corporate Headquarters, aims to boost investment in Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare sectors on the one hand, as well as provide Nigerian investors with opportunities to invest in real estate in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, “With Loft & Keys’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market and established networks in the Middle East, we are poised to bring $500 million in investments into Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare industries. These funds will be strategically spread across Lagos, Abuja (FCT), Delta, and Enugu.”

 

The investment in hospitality will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. Beyond creating employment opportunities, it will spur infrastructure development, enhance regional tourism appeal, and foster business ecosystems in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, and Delta. Similarly, the healthcare focus will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure, improve access to quality care, and promote health innovation—key pillars for national development.

 

The partnership According to Dr Kimemia also extends to Nigerian investors seeking opportunities in the UAE. With Loft & Keys’ expertise and extensive networks in Dubai and other Middle Eastern hubs, the collaboration will unlock access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Speaking about the partnership, Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC, said “Optiva Capital Partners stands as Africa’s leading wealth retention company, a position that is firmly established and without question. This partnership with Loft & Keys will further solidify their dominance and create even greater opportunities for growth. As Dr. Jane Kimemia has rightly emphasized, Loft & Keys, with our extensive expertise in the Middle East, is a trusted and experienced partner”. We have a strong presence in the UAE and are actively expanding into Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the near future. Together with Optiva Capital Partners, we are committed to capturing significant market opportunities in these regions. I am confident that this partnership will foster substantial growth that will be mutually rewarding for both parties.

 

Dubai, a city widely known for its opulence and rapid development, is reportedly operating at only 30% of its projected capacity, presenting a significant growth opportunity for investors. According to industry experts, this untapped potential creates a unique window for investors to capitalize on the city’s future expansion and development.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 as two formidable brands, Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys are committed to leveraging their collective strengths to drive impactful investments that benefit clients and communities alike.

 

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos
About Optiva Capital Partners
Optiva Capital Partners is a premier wealth management and retention firm offering bespoke solutions in four areas of specialization – investment immigration, investment advisory, insurance, and international real estate.
About Loft & Keys LLC
Loft & Keys is an internationally recognized real estate and investment company with a robust presence in Nigeria and the UAE. The firm is dedicated to connecting investors with high-value opportunities in dynamic markets.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending